What is an allergen? An allergen is a substance that appears to be harmless but which, in some people, will provoke a “defense reaction” on the part of the immune system. In short: the body’s “protection system” will (wrongly) recognize the allergen as dangerous and begin to create specific antibodies to fight against this supposed “threat”. Each encounter with the allergen will then result in inflammation – this is the allergic reaction.
Allergy (to cat hair, dust mites, mould, etc.) can manifest itself through various symptoms: allergic rhinitis (running nose, stuffy nose, itchy nose, etc.), allergic conjunctivitis (eyes that turn red, watery eyes, itchy eyes…), itching (of the throat, face…), cough, sore throat or even dysphonia ( hoarsely).
80% of cases of asthma in children are of allergic origin
An allergic reaction can also, in some people, be the cause of an asthma attack: experts estimate that, in children, 80% of cases of asthma are of allergic origin. An asthma attack results in breathing difficulties, wheezing, coughing, a feeling of tightness in the chest…
In case of allergy (with or without asthma), medical monitoring is absolutely essential. Indeed: the natural tendency of the allergy being to worsen, the symptoms tend to be worse and worse with each crisis… An allergological assessment (carried out by an allergist doctor) is strongly recommended if the symptoms (the including asthma) recur regularly: it is a question of evaluating the severity of the allergy and the allergen(s) incriminated.
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